Attachment for phonographs.



N0. 706,627. Patented Aug. l2, I902.

M. M. WOBTHINGTON. ATTACHMENT FOB PHONOGRAPHS.

(Application flled Aug. 8, 1901.

(No Modal.)

. wgcow.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARCUS M. WORTHINGTON, OF NE\V LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

ATTACHMENT FOR PHO NOGRAPHS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 706,627, dated August 12, 1902. Application filed August 8, 1901. Serial No. 71,421. (No model.)

- tones may be reproduced substantially as in the original. For example, the metallic tones of a brass instrument may be naturally reproduced, and by a slight adjustment of my present attachment the same phonograph may be caused to deliver articulated tones so modified as to faithfully represent the human voice, the objectionable and usual brassy tones of the instrument being entirely eliminated.

My said invention consists, essentially, of a chamberinterposed between the speaking attachment of the phonograph and the trumpet, and includes also means for enlarging and diminishing the said chamber, the adjusting means being so arranged that the said chamber may be enlarged, diminished, or entirely out out while the phonograph is in operation.

In carrying my invention into effect I preferably utilize the top plate and collar as now commonly provided to support the so-called speaker, as by so doing I am ableto adapt my present invention to phonographs'of ordinary construction with very slight and inexpensive modifications of such phonographs.

In connection with this specification I have provided the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, chiefly in dotted outline, of a phonograph, showing also in full lines in proper relation to said phonograph the speaker and my improvement attached thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal central sectional view of the collar and top plate with my attachment embodied therein, the chamber, which forms the chief feature of my invention, being closed. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing the said chamber opened to its greatest extent.

In the drawings, a indicates generally the phonograph, and Z) a cylindrical record.

0 indicates the speaker or reproducer, and d the collar onto which the speaker is screwed, said collar being formed with a tubular extension at of reduced diameter, over which is drawn the usual flexible tube that connects the extension d with the trumpet. Located in the open end of the collar (Z is a coneshaped dome e, having its central portionthat is to say, the apex of the cone drawn out to form a tubular opening 6.

The width of the collard is such that a chamber (Z of considerable length is provided, in which is located a disk 71,, havinga tubular stem h, that is telescoped into the tube (1 and is adapted to slide freely therein.

WVhen the disk is moved forward into the position-shown in Fig. 2, the tubular extension d lies within the central opening in the disk 7t, and said disk then abuts the dome 6, thus closing the chamber (F, or rather cutting the said chamber off from communication with the opening in the tube 7t. When the parts are thus adjusted, the sounds emitted bythe speaking-reproducer pass unobstructedly through the tube It and thence pass outward through the conduit formed by the flexible tube to the trumpet in the manner now usual in phonographs of this class. When, however, it is desired to modify and change thetones of the speaker, the tube 7t may he slid within the outer tube (1, so as to move the disk h away from the dome e, as in Fig. 3, thus causing the sound waves to be discharged through tube e into the enlarged chamber (Z which chamber serves (as I find in practice) to soften and modify the otherwise harsh, rasping, and metallic tones of the instrument. By adjusting the disk It so as to enlarge or reduce the capacity of the chamber d I find in practice that any desired qualification of tone may be produced from the natural brassy tone of the phonograph to a pleasing, subdued, and softened tone, this result being specially notable and desirable when articulated sounds are being reproduced.

In order to adjust the inner tube 7t and its disk 7t so as to regulate the size of chamber (Z or to completely out off said chamber from the sound-waves, 1 preferably provide the f 01- lowing-named mechanism:

The outer tube d is slotted, as at d and the inner tube h is provided with a stud k that projects outward through said slot. Fulcrumed on tube d is a lever d one of whose ends is forked and straddles the projecting stud, as seen in Fig. 1. By rocking the said lever on its fulcrum the stud k is caused to move in slot 61 and the connected inner tube h is simultaneously moved lengthwise within the outer tube. This adjustment of the inner tube and disk It to vary the capacity of chamber 61 may be performed while the phonograph is in use.

It will be obvious that my described means for controlling and modifying the tones of phonographs may be used with good effect with recorders during the operation of making new records; but it is particularly valuable for correcting the objectionable and disagreeable tones of records as now made and sold.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a phonograph, a sound modifying chamberadapted to be interposed between the diaphragm and the trumpet, and means within said chamber for varying the size thereof, substantially as described.

2. In a phonograph, a sound -modifying chamber adapted to be interposed between the diaphragm and the trumpet, and means within the chamber and operable from the exterior thereof for varying its size, substantially as described.

3. In a phonograph, a soundmodifying chamber adapted to be interposed between the diaphragm and the trumpet, and means within said chamber independent of the diaphragm for varying its size, substantially as described.

4. In a phonograph, a sound modifying chamber adapted to be interposed between the diaphragm and the trumpet, a longitudinally-movable abutment in said chamber of substantially the same size as the internal diameter thereof, and means for moving said abutment to vary the size of the chamber, substantially as described.

5. In a phonograph, a sound-modifying chamber adapted to be interposed between the diaphragm and the trumpet, and means within said chamber for establishing or eliminating communication between the same and the trumpet, substantially as described.

6. In a phonograph, a sound -modifying chamber adapted to be interposed between the diaphragm and the trumpet, and means Within the chamber for establishing or eliminating communication between the same and the trumpet while the machine is in operation, substantially as described.

7. In a phonograph, a sound-modifying chamber adapted to be interposed between the diaphragm and the trumpet, and means within and operable from the exterior of the chamber for establishing or eliminating communication between the same and the trumpet, substantially as described.

Signed at Norwich, Connecticut, this 23d day of July, 1901.

MARCUS M. V ORTHINGTON.

Witnesses:

FRANK H. ALLEN, MAY F. RITCHIE. 

